Winless Sharks double down on Springboks-heavy team with Eben Etzebeth twist for Scarlets showdown
Sharks and Springboks lock Eben Etzebeth with an inset of John Plumtree.
John Plumtree has made minimal changes to his matchday squad as the Sharks look to end their winless start to the United Rugby Championship season against the Scarlets.
The under-pressure head coach has made three alterations to the starting XV, one of which enforced, from the side that was defeated by Ulster in the team’s first home game of the season.
Sharks team v Scarlets
Once again, 13 Springboks have been included in the run-on team, with Jordan Hendrikse coming in for the suspended Makazole Mapimpi. Hendrikse starts in the number 15 jersey with Edwill van der Merwe shifting to his regular position on the wing. Ethan Hooker completes the back-three, starting in the number 11 jumper.
Andre Esterhuizen is retained in the starting inside centre position and is joined by fellow Bok Lukhanyo Am, who has traded roles with Jurenzo Julius, who is included on the bench.
Grant Williams and Siya Masuku complete the backline with the only other change coming in the pack.
Emmanuel Tshituka packs down in the number eight jersey replacing Phepsi Buthelezi, who will earn his 100th appearance for the Sharks in an international competition from the bench. Tshituka joins brother Vincent in the back-row, which is completed by Springboks skipper Siya Kolisi.
Interestingly, Plumtree has made a captaincy change for the fixture against the Scarlets as Eben Etzebeth takes over the role from Vincent Tshituka, who led the side last week. The veteran once again packs down with his schoolboy mate Marvin Orie in the second-row in what is an all-Springboks tight-five with Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi and Vincent Koch named as the starting front-rowers.
There are several changes on the bench for the Sharks, Cameron Dawson and Lee-Marvin Mazibuko are named as prop cover in the place of injured props Simphiwe Matanzima and Ruan Dreyer. JJ Scheepers also replaces Bathobele Hlekani with Buthlezi, being the fifth forward in the 5-3 split.
Jaden Hendrikse provide scrum-half cover with Jean Smith drafted in to the number 22 jersey, with Julius finalising the team.
Sharks team v Scarlets
Sharks: 15 Jordan Hendrikse, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Siya Masuku, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Emmanuel Tshituka, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Eben Etzebeth (c), 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Fez Mbatha, 17 Cameron Dawson, 18 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 19 Bathobele Hlekani, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Jean Smith, 23 Jurenzo Julius
Kick-off: 15.00 IRE & UK / 16.00 ITA & SA
Referee: Sam Grove-White (SRU, 55th league game)
Assistant Referees: Griffin Colby (SARU), Aimee Barrett-Theron (SARU)
TMO: Eoghan Cross (IRFU)
Live on: SuperSport, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv
Players not considered for selection due to injury: Albie Bester, Aphelele Fassi, Bradley Davids, Bryce Calvert, Coetzee le Roux, Corne Rahl, Diego Appollis, Emile van Heerden, Ethan Bester, Francois Venter, Hanro Jacobs, Jason Jenkins, Jannes Potgieter, Litelihle Bester, Phatu Ganyane, Ruan Dreyer, Simphiwe Matanzima, Trevor Nyakane and Yaw Penxe.
